Messaged.
Senator LeMahieu submitted a resolution for introduction as a privileged resolution.
Relating to: nomination of Meagan Wolfe as Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator.
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Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess.
9:02 P.M.
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Recess
9:32 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senate President Kapenga in the chair.
hist170428Senator LeMahieu moved to call the main question. The question was: Shall the Senate vote immediately on the main question?
The ayes and noes were demanded and the vote was: ayes, 22; noes, 11; absent or not voting, 0; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Ballweg, Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Cowles, Felzkowski, Feyen, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, Knodl, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Quinn, Stafsholt, Stroebel, Testin, Tomczyk, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 22.
Noes - Senators Agard, Carpenter, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Taylor and Wirch - 11.
Absent or not voting - None - 0.
Question called.
hist170429The question was: Adoption of Senate Resolution 3? Adopted.
Senators Agard, Carpenter, Hesselbein, Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Taylor and Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked to be recorded as voting “No” on the question on adoption of Senate Resolution 3.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Quinn, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his chief to staff, Michael Luckey, who is leaving next month. He has been a staple in the Assembly and the Senate, and Senator Quinn wishes him the best in his endeavors going forward.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his summer intern, Reagan Kelly, who will turn Sweet 16 on July 6th. Miss Kelly has been a parade volunteer of his for years, and is the daughter of his chief of Staff, Scott, who also started his political career as an intern in the Capitol 30 years ago last month.
Senator Hutton, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his 20 year old daughter who got engaged on Sunday.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Senate pages who have recently graduated: Lucas Gordy, Dane Sutton, Emily Pinkert, Kahlil Kaldhusdal, Chloe Roberts, Zoe Wittenwyler, Trinity Giese, Alivia Lindorfer, Cooper Malcore and Paola Hernadez.
Senator Pfaff, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his friend, Cheryl Mader. Cheryl lost her life in a tragic drunk driving accident on Sunday. Cheryl was a leader in the Prairie du Chien community. She was a former Mayor, a proud Rotarian, an advocate for those less fortunate, but above all, she was a loving mother and grandmother. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading a fundraising campaign that raised over $2 million to help thousands of women in Ghana further their education. The loss of Cheryl will be felt all through the Prairie du Chien Community, and Senator Pfaff asks all of you to keep her husband, Dale, her children and her two granddaughters who were also in the crash in your thoughts. Cheryl, thank you for all of your years of service, and you will be greatly missed.
Senator L. Johnson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the Gun Violence victims on display for June as Gun Violence Awareness Month. They are: Easton Thom- 11 y/o, Elijo Gonzalez- 5 y/o, Grace Rodriguez- 2 y/o, Javier Winston - 15 y/o, Zy’ Aire Nevels- 1 y/o, Carolanah Schenk- 11 y/o, Sebastian Florentino- 14 y/o, Skyé’ Bleu- 5 y/o, Tyler Brooks- 15 y/o, Jamarri McClellan- 13 y/o, Jeremiah Hutson- 16 y/o and Krause Funeral Home and Cremation for their partnership and commitment to Milwaukee families in assisting to bury some of these disadvantaged child homicide victims at no cost.
Senator Nass, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Sheila T. Reiff on the occasion of her retiring as Clerk of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and her 54 collective years of dedicated service to state, county and local government.
Senator Nass, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Moe Le Roux on the occasion of him taking the Oath of Allegiance on June 9, 2023, to become a United States citizen.
Senator Spreitzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Walter R. Knight, who passed away on June 20th. Walter Knight was a trailblazer for the African American community in Beloit. He was also a mentor and friend to many, and Senator Spreitzer was proud to be able to count himself among the people who were lucky enough to learn from Walter. Walter moved to Beloit in 1951 at the age of 17 and started working at Fairbanks Morse, where he worked his way up in the company over the course of a 25 year career. His work and his advocacy led to his appointment as a Union Steward at Fairbanks Morse and, eventually, his election as Vice President and President of Local 1533 of the United Steelworkers of America. In 1972, Walter made history, becoming the first African American elected to serve on the Beloit City Council, and went on to be the first African American elected by the Council to serve as Council President. He served thirteen consecutive years on the Council, including two terms as Vice President and two terms as President. Walter’s accomplishments were not limited to his political work. He assisted in the planning and formation of an organization called the Rock County Opportunities Industrialization Center, where he served as Executive Director and provided employment training and job placement services for approximately 6,000 adults and youth over 30 years. Walter has been recognized repeatedly for his service, including being inducted into the Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame and having the former Portland Avenue Bridge over the Rock River in Beloit renamed the Walter R. Knight Bridge. Walter Knight will be remembered as an incredible husband to his wife Sadie, a caring and dedicated father and grandfather, and a beloved member of the Beloit community.
Senator Spreitzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of David F. Luebke, who passed away on June 23. Many people knew Dave best as an educator. He served as a guidance counselor at Beloit Catholic High School and then in numerous roles in the School District of Beloit, including as a school psychologist, director of student services, assistant principal of Beloit Memorial High School, and as an interim principal. Senator Spreitzer got to know Dave best when they both ran for Beloit City Council at the same time in 2011, and then served 4 years together on the council. Dave supported the Senator when he became City Council President, and Dave went on to serve as City Council President after Senator Spreitzer left the council to join the State Assembly. Dave was a servant-leader and a consensus-builder, someone who always wanted to do what he felt was right for the community. Dave was someone that everyone knew, and everyone liked. When he ran for office, he barely campaigned. He just had to let everyone know he was on the ballot, and he was a shoo-in. Senator Spreitzer distinctly remembers a phone conversation with him in late 2010 when the Senator was preparing to run for the City Council. There were 3 at-large seats up for election the next spring, and one incumbent was retiring. The Senator called Dave to ask him to be the Senator’s campaign treasurer as he ran for the open seat. Dave told Senator Spreitzer he’d love to, but he couldn’t because he was running himself. The Senator gulped, knowing that Dave would win easily, making his path much harder. The Senator ended up coming in second and winning a seat. Dave, of course, came in first. In addition to his role as an educator and a city councilor, Dave served on countless city and nonprofit boards and volunteered in the community. Dave was an amazing father to two sons and a daughter, and a friend to many. Senator Spreitzer will personally miss him, and the Beloit community will miss his service.
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Adjournment
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned until Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Adjourned.
9:39 P.M.
